Author: NZRacingDesk

Kelly Van Dyk’s Prima Park Bloodstock will be represented on both sides of the Tasman this week, from the sales ring in Sydney to the big stage at Ellerslie on Saturday. From her base at Matamata, Van Dyk specialises in horse agistment and sales preparation, while more recently, she has featured prominently in the training ranks with exciting filly Places To Be (NZ) (Hello Youmzain). A homebred by Hello Youmzain, Places To Be was a two-time trial winner before dominating her rivals by four lengths on debut at Taupo, and…

Te Akau has been forced to take an unconventional path to Ellerslie with Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) and are confident the high-class mare will strip in the best possible order, given the circumstances. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained representative will step out in Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) off the back of her outstanding resuming victory in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m). Plans to run in the middle leg of the Triple Crown, the Gr,1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m), were scrapped due to the heavily rain-affected ground at Te…

There will be a vacant seat in the owners’ section of the Ellerslie grandstand on Saturday when Ladies Man attempts a repeat victory in the Gr. 1 Livamol Classic. Ron Stanley, part-owner of the dual Group One winner along with a host of other class racehorses, passed away on Saturday just weeks short of his 70th birthday, ending more than 50 years fully immersed in racing. Life for Stanley had its challenges due to contracting polio as an infant, but supported by his wife Kathy, brother Noel and a closely…

Sharp ‘N’ Smart’s (NZ) (Redwood) Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) campaign hangs in the balance, with his performance in Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Ellerslie dictating whether he continues on that path. The former New Zealand Horse of the Year has had three starts to date this preparation, and while he was unplaced in all three, co-trainer Graeme Rogerson has been pleased with his efforts. “He has had a couple of runs and they have been very good,” said Rogerson, who trains in partnership with his wife Debbie. “He is…

David Hayes has labelled Ka Ying Rising’s barrier draw of gate seven “perfect” as the world’s top-rated sprinter attempts to win the AU$20 million (approx. HK$101 million) G1 The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday (18 October). In a spectacular drone show on Sydney Harbour, Ka Ying Rising was the first horse to have its barrier revealed, prompting a positive and unequivocal reaction from Hayes, who said jockey Zac Purton will have options from the gate. “Perfect. Anywhere from (barrier) four to eight, I was going…

Stakes-winning sprinter Buoyant (NZ) (Dalghar) recorded his biggest victory during New Zealand Cup Week at Riccarton three years ago and owner-trainer Sabin Kirkland has designs on returning to the carnival with his gelding next month.  The son of Dalghar was in a purple patch of form during that period, placing in the Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) before winning the Gr.3 Stewards’ Stakes (1200m). He went on to win the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1200m) at Wingatui a month later, but his form dropped off when he campaigned in Australia.  He returned…

Andrew Forsman’s mare Positivity (NZ) (Almanzor) will look to make her presence felt on the middle day of the Caulfield Cup Carnival on Wednesday, taking on the feature Gr.3 Coongy Cup Handicap (2000m). A placegetter in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at three, Positivity joined Forsman’s Flemington stable on a permanent basis last term and took on serious Victorian company, winning the Gr.3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) before contesting the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), where she finished back in the 23-horse field. The daughter of Almanzor resumed in a competitive…

Trainers Ken and Bev Kelso believe their Group One-winning mare Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) is ready to fire in Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Ellerslie following a pleasing piece of work at Matamata on Tuesday.  “She worked nice this morning on the course proper with Quintessa. Vinnie (Colgan, jockey) was quite happy with her work,” Ken Kelso said.  Waikato’s wet spring hasn’t been ideal for Legarto’s preparation, with the daughter of Proisir finishing sixth in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie first-up before going one better in last month’s…

At Windsor Park Stud in Cambridge, pride runs deep in the paddocks where so many champions have been nurtured. Among the stallions to have carried the stud’s hopes, few have left such a complex legacy as Shamexpress. A Group One-winning sprinter turned stallion, he is the sire of the world’s best racehorse, Ka Ying Rising, a fact that cements his place in New Zealand breeding history. Yet his story is also tinged with a sense of what might have been, for despite his talent as a sire, Shamexpress has battled…

In an exclusive interview, Michael is in Sydney to chat with the man who made The Everest, Peter V’landys. They discuss the richest turf race in the world, the NRL, the man himself, and PVL’s future in his various roles. Guerin Report – S2 Ep. 7 Ft. Peter V’landys